Dry cleaning



Oct. 13, 1925.

T. GRISWOLD. JR

DRY CLEANING Filed April 5, 1923 3 ts-Sheet 1 VEN VENT

IN VEN TOR. fly/ 7 60222 45 Gr/SwQ/c/ fr ATTORN Y5 Oct. 13, 1925.

T. GRISWOLD. JR

I DRY CLEANING. Y Filed April 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 \l% 2 6.3 0 2 5 O 3 am I Y W m 3 ww f 6 I 2 s H W U 5 l I Z 2 Izvmvrozz. Tfiazz'z as Grzlszd 01.47 J2:

,Oct. 13, 1925.

T. GRISWOLD. JR

DRY CLEANING FiledApril s, 1925 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

7202224; firzswok] .751

BY 90 M r 90 A TTORNEYS Patented Oct. 13,

{UNITED STATES PATENT,- OFFICE.

THOMAS emswonn, m, or MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE now cimmcAL COMPANY, or MIDLAND, mxcnrean, A conromrxon or mrcnrem.

DRY CLEANING.

Applicaton filed April 5,

resident of Midland, county of Midland and State'of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dry Cleaning,

which the following is a specification, the

. principle of the invention being herein ex- ,plained, and the best mode in which Ihave contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improvements relate more particularly to certain developments in the method of cleaning and apparatus for use in connection therewith that form the sub- Such method is characterized, among other things, by the step which consists in passing I a directed current of solvent through a definitely circumscribed portion of the fabric or like material 'from which a spot of oil or an equivalent soil mark requires to be removed and finds a special field of use in the manufacture of knitted garments as in underwear factories where the current practice requires that garments on which spots are detected haveto be rthI'OWIl out and the spots washed with gasoline and soap preparations, necessitating that they be subsequently dried and ironed. 'By my improved method I have rendered it possible -to apply a-solvent medium directly to the damaged portion of the garments in such a manner as to eliminate the objectionable spot in a simple and expeditious manner so that the goods may be promptly returned to their original positions in the line of progress of the material through the factory. At the same timethe complete re moval of the spot without objectionable ringing is insured.

One object of the present invention is the incorporation of a step in such method whereby an air blast may be directed through the fabric, after treatment with such solvent, in order further to expedite the completion of the cleansing operation. Another object is to reduce the device or apparatus required to a more compact form suitable for installation on existing work benches, the principle of; operation remaining substantially as described in such co- 1923. Serial No. 629,988.

pending application. I Still another object I is to provide an arrangement of tanks and connections for supplying-the solvent, as

well as the compressed air, to a plurality of such devices installed on one or more floors of a manufacturin plant.

To the accomplis ment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter full declaims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention mayv be used.

In said annexed drawings V Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic representation of an installation of cleaning devices embodying my present improvements, such devices being shown as located on different floors of a plant; Fig.2 is a plan view of an individual cleaning devicen or apparatus embodying my. present improvements; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of such apparatus, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 3-3,

tion of the'same, the plane of such section being indicated'by the lines 44, Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is partly a side elevation and partly a vertical section of a control valve Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical secthat forms a feature of'rsuch apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the portion of the device that directly co-operates with-the material being cleaned, the plane of such section being indicated bythe line. Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is aside elevation on a somewhat smaller scale thanthat of Figs. 2-et seq., showing in completely assembled form an individual device or apparatus with means for operating same.

Referring first to, the more general illustration of my improved apparatus, as found in Figs. 1 and 7, the individual device comprising such apparatus will be seen to comprise a base 1 in the form of an inverted hollow shell that is adapted to be mounted upon a suitable table 2 or like support.. The

operative parts of the device, as shown in detail in the remaining figures, include as one principal element a hollow member or pipe 5 of inverted U-shape, which may be referred to inclusively as a gooseneck, such member being attached to the base 1 by being oscillatorily mounted on a short transverse tubular shaft 6 fixedly held in two bosses or standards 7 and 8 that rise above said basenear the rear end thereof. The ends of said shaft 6are closed, but it is provided with two lateral openings 9 and 10, the first of which communicates with the hollow interior of the gooseneck 5, while the other similarly communicates with a passage 11 in boss 8 to which is connected, by means of a coupling 12, one end of a short pipe or duct 13. I lit will be understood that, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the rear end of said gooseneck, which is thus oscillatorily mounted on shaft 6 between bosses 7 and 8, is permanently closed. The other or free end of said gooseneck, however, is open save ,for a disk valve 15 that is. free to move outwardly from its seat against a cup member 16 that is secured to such end of the goose neck by means of an annular cover member 17 formed at its lower edge with an encircling horizontal flange 18. A tension spring 19 assists in thus maintaining said valve normally in seated position against the cup 16 and the lower edge of the latter, which projects beyond the portion whereon said valve thus seats, forms. a ring 20 thatis adapted to press the material that is being treated against the peripheral portion of a perforated working plate 21. Openings 22 in the lateral portion of cup 16 afford free communication between the interior thereof and the outer space defined by the cover 17. Perforated working plate 21 is fixedly mounted in the upper end of a cylindrical shell 25 of the cross-sectional form internally shown in Fig. 3, such shell being in turn reciprocably and to a limited extent oscillatorily mounted on the upper end of a tubular boss 26 that rises from the bottom of an inverted casing 27, suitably supported in the base 1 with its upper end, which is normally open, directed upwardly and lying substantially in the plane of cup 16 and its surrounding cover member 17 on the free end of the gooseneck when such end is de pressed, as shown in the figure just referred to. As a matter of fact, such shell 25 is supported on boss 26 in the manner referred to through the medium of an annular cushion 28 of suitable resilient'material that will not be affected by the solvent used in the apparatus, such cushion ring 28 being interposed between a washer 29, that forms a projecting flange on the upper end of the boss, and an annular flange 30 that projects inwardly from the cylindrical wall of said shell 25, the upper face of this last mentioned flange being beveled downwardly and inwardly towards the central opening another annular cushion 32 of material simweaves communication is had between the interior of the shell and the surrounding annular space in casing 27. 7 r

The upwardly directed edge of said casing is beveled inwardly, and, seated in an encircling recess of rectangular cross-section located immediately below such edge, is

ilar to thatcf cushion ring 28, such cushion being disposed to co-operate with the flange 18 on the cover member 17 that surrounds cup 16.

One end of a short pipe or duct 35 is laterally connected by means of an angular coupling 36 with the lower portion of casing 27 on one side thereof, the rear as shownin Fig. 3 (see also plan view, Fig. 2) the other end of such duct being connected with a valve chamber 37 that along with a companion valve chamber 38 is mounted in base 1 adjacent the aligned bosses 7 and 8 between which gooseneck 5 is oscillatorily mounted on pin 6. The duct 13, which, as hereinbefore described, is connected at one' end by means of coupling 12 with the passage 11 in said boss 8 and thus with the hol low interior of said gooseneck, has its other end connected with such companion valve casing. The connection of each of such pipes 13 and 35 with the corresponding valve casings 38 and 37 lies above the seat'in such casings against which the valves 38 and 37, respectively, are held by means of springs 38 and 37 respectively, thus closios lng communication between said ducts and the ducts 40 and 41 that lead tothe respective lower portions of said valve casings. The valves 37 a and 38 are formed with stems 37 and 38. that project above the upper ends of the respective casings in position to be engaged by the oppositelyextending arms of a rocker 42 oscillatorily mounted on a bracket 43 located between the valve casings and provided with a handle 44 for convenience in operation. From the foregoing construction it will be seen that upon swinging said lever 44 in one direction, e. g. to the right, as shown in Fig. '5, valve 37 will be depressed and duct 35 thus placed in communication with duct 40, while upon swinging said lever in the oppo- A position shown in dotted outline in said Fig.

.7 by a tension spring 54 connected with the upper end of arm 51 and the front wall of base 1. v i

i As shown in Fig. 3, a set-screw in an arm 56 projecting forwardly from the lower end of gooseneck 5 is adapted to be adjusted to limit the spring action or lift of the gooseneck. It will also be noted'that as a result of the way in which the shell 25 that carries working plate 21 is supported on the boss 26, viz.,'through the medium of cushion ring 28, such shell and plate are rendered self-centering when cup-ring 20 is thus forcibly pressed down on said plate.

In other words, such plate will automatically adapt itself to the changing angle of such ring and so insure the uniform clamping of the fabric inserted between the two; while cushion ring 32 similarly insures a seal between the cup cover 17 and the upper edge of casing 27.

'Duct 40 constitutes a solvent-supply line connected with any-suitablesource of sup-- ply, such as the one hereinafter described, while duct 41 constitutes an air-supply line, being connected, with a suitable source of compressed air or equivalent pressure fluid. In addition to the foregoing 'ducts or lines, still another duct or line 57, leading to a suitable storage tank or the like, is connected with the hollow boss 26 that rises from the bottom of the casing 27, as hereinbefore described, and carries-the shell 25 with its perforated working plate 21 (see Figs. 2 to 6). v

The operation of the apparatus may be conveniently described at this point. With the goose-neck 5in its normal raised or open position, as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7, the fabric is drawn across the upper beveled edge of casing 27 so as to substantially center the spot whichit is desired to remove over the working plate 21. It will be observed that both. hands of the operator are left free for this operation, following which by pressing down upon treadle 53 with his foot theoperator depresses the free end of the gooseneck so as to clamp the fabric between the annular flange 18 and the cushion ring 32,v the ring 20 of cup 16 being at the same time caused to clamp such material about a smaller concentric circle I against the edge 6f shell 25, or in other words to the edge of the perforated working plate 21. The next step in the operation of the apparatus is to rock valve lever 14 to the right, as shown in Fig. 5, or to the rear, assuming the operator to be standing circular section of the material clamped by th'ering 20 against the Working plate 21. However, in thus passing upwardly in'casing 27, the fresh or clean solvent it will be noted first encounters the annular portion of the material that lies between said ring 20 and flange 18, whereby the material is clamped on a larger circle-against cushion ring 32. Accordingly, a barr er ring of the material is saturated with such clean solvent surrounding the spot before the solvent passes downwardly through the soiled portion of the material, and thence out through drain connection 57 It will be understood that the rate of flow of the solvent is' suitably adjusted by means of a control valve in the supply line 40 so that the flow there'- of through the apparatus, as just described, need be continued for only a'brief interval in order to insure thorough cleansing of the sure overcomes the resistance of spring 19 and displaces valve 15 from its seat in the cup 16 in the forward end of the goosoneck.

The air thence escapes through the clamped solvent wetted portion of the fabric violently displacing and ejecting through drain. pipe 57 solvent retained in the fabric.

The valve 15 consists of a thin disk of suitable material and has as its function to prevent the solvent during the first part of the operation from rising into the gooseneck, compelling it instead to follow the path previously described.

The flow of air is continued long enough to substantially free the fabric from excess solvent retained by it whereupon the operation may be considered complete and valve 38 allowed to automatically close by again releasing lever 44. Inorder to remove the fabric that has been operated upon, the treadle 53 is released and spring 54 thereupon automatically raises the gooseneck, thus restoring the apparatus to its initial position ready for another operation. It may be noted at this point that the port 31 in shell 25 permits solvent &

trapped in the annular space between shell 25 and casing 27 to drain into boss 26 or to be ejected therein by air from the gooseneck.

While, as indicated, the operation of the apparatus as just described is not dependent upon any particular source of supply for either the solvent or compressed air employed in such operation, I have shown in Fig. 1 a special arrangement or system designed for thus supplying solvent and compressed air to a plurality of machines in a factory and also for collecting the residual solvent that drains from such machines incidental to each cleaning operation. In said Figure, two devices are shown located on separate floors of a building together with pipe lines 40, 41 and 57 which are connected therewith respectively, as hereinbefore described in detail.

Two solvent tanks are provded, an upper tank 60 located above the level of the highest device in the system, and a lower tank 61 located below the lowest such device. Solvent delivered in, shipping containers 62 may be introduced into the system by air pressure using the pipe connections shown in dotted lines. There is also provided a clean air tank '3 which is designed to be supplied with air under proper pressure from the house main (34, such air first passing through a reducing valve 6-5 and filter 66 ,adaptedto remove any foreign matter which might soil or spot the fabric being treated. The solvent is supplied from the upper solvent tank 60 through a main line 67 wherewith the several ducts =10 are connected, while the solvent that is drained away through the several ducts 57 is collected in a companion main (3S and carried to the lower tank 61. An air vent permits relieving air pressure after elevating solvent and the displacement of air as necessitated by changing volume ofsolvent in tanks. The air collected through said ducts 57 from the several devices is vented either through the roof or otherwise. Line 67 is so connected with lower tank 61 or drum 62, that air pressure irom an extension 64 of the house main may be used to elevate solvent from such tank or drum to the upper tank.

If desired. the used solvent may be conducted to a still in which it is vaporized and the vapor carried to a condenser located above the upper solvent tank. By re-distilling the solvent each time it is used, all oil or dirt extracted is left behind in the still and only pure stlvent supplied to the upper solvent tank and thence to the devices.

Both the foregoing methods avoid the use of pumps or tther moving machinery and are applicable to installations in which a number of spotting machines are used. For small installations, however, it will prob-v tasavse ably be more economical to carry the solvent by hand from the lower to the.

upper tank.

Other modes of applying the prinicple of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the means and the steps herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of the following claims or their equivalents be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a method of removing a spot from a fabric or like material, the steps which consist .in passing a directed curren of solvent through a definitely circumscribed portion of such material, including the spot, and then passing through such portion a gaseous fluid adapted to displace retained solvent.

2. In a method of removing a spot from a fabric or like material, the steps which consist in passing a directed current of solvent through a definitely circumscribed portion of such material, including the spot, and then passing through such portion in the same direction a gaseous fluid adapted to displace retained solvent.

3'. In a method of removing a spot from a fabric or like material, the steps which consist in passing a directed current of solvent through a portion of such material immediately surrounding but not including the spot and then through the portion of such material including such spot, and thereupon passing through such portions a gaseous fluid adapted to displaceretained solvent.

4. In a method of removing a spot from a fabric or like material, the steps which consist in passing a directed current of solvent through a portion of such material-immediately surrounding but not including the spot and then through the portion of such material including such spot, and thereupon passing through such portions in the same order a gaseous fluid adapted to displace retained solvent.

5. In a method of removing a. spot from a fabric or like material, the steps which consist in sealing off a definitely circumscribed portion of such material, including the spot, also sealing off another portion of such material immediately surrounding such first portion, and then passing a current of solvent through such surrounding and central portions in the order named.

6. In a method of removing a spot from a. fabric or like material, the steps which consists in scaling off a definitely circumscribed portion of such material, including the spot, also sealing off another portion of such material immediately surrounding such first portion, passing a current of solvent through such surrounding and centralportions in the order named, and then passing through such portions a gaseous fluid adapta relatively. movable cup-member'provided ed to displace retained solvent. 7. In a method of removing a spot from a fabric or like material, the'steps which 6 consist in sealing off a definitely circum-l 'scrlbed portion of such material, including the spot, also sealing ofianother'port-ion of 'suchmate'rial immediately surrounding such \-first portion, passing a current of solvent through such surrounding and central portipns in the order named, and then passing t rough such portions inthe same order a gaseous fluid adapted to displace retained solvent.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination 'ofseparable members adapted to clamp therebetween a circumscribed area of a piece of 'fabric or like ermeablefmaterial, .said members being chambered to permit the circulation of fluid through the enclosed areaof such material, and connections to said members adapted respectively to-supply a solvent and agaseous medium adapted to displace sol-' vent retained by such material.

'9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combinationof separable members adapted to clamp therebetween a circumscribedarea of a piece of fabric or like permeable material, said membersjbe ing chambered to permit the circulation of a fluid through the enclosed area of such material, connections to said members adapted respectively to suppliv a solvent and a gas-.

eo us medium adapte o displace solventre- .tained by such material, and a drain connecti'on. :10. 'In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of separable mem- 40 bers adapted to clamp therebetween a circumscribed area of a piece of fabricor like permeable material, said members being chambered to permit the circulation of a fluid through the enclosedfarea of such materlal, connections to. said members adapted respectively to supply a solvent and a ga seous medium adapted to'displace solvent'retained by such material, and alternatively operable valves controlling said connections. 9 11. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of separable members adaptedto clamp therebetween a circum-scribed area of apiece of fabric orlike ermeable material, said members being chambered to permit the, circulation of a fluid through the enclosed area of such ma-;

terial, connections to said members adapted respectively to supply a solvent and a gaseous medium adapted to displace solvent retained by such-material, alternatively operable valves controlling said connections,-and

a drain connection.

12...-In an apparatus of the character-described, the combination of a. cylindrical 5 shell, a casing surrounding said shell and centering;

leaving an annular space therebetween, and

with rings adapted to co-operate with the ends of said shell and easing respectively" to clamp a piece of fabric or like -1naterial thereaga-inst 13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cylindrical shell, 'a' casing surrounding said shell and leaving an'annular space therebetween, and

a relatively movablec-up-member provided with rings adapted to co-operate with the ends of said'shell and casing respectively to clamp a piece of fabric or like material thereagainst, the foregoing parts being self- 14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cylindrical shell, a cushion ring supporting said shell, a"

casing surrounding said shell and leaving an annu ar space therebetween, a CllSlllOIl ring fittedto the end of said casing, and a rela tively movable cup-member provided with rings adapted to co-operate with the ends of said shell and easing respectively to clamp a piece of fabric or like material thereagainst.

15. In an apparatus of the character de-' scribed, the combination of a cylindrical shell, a cushion ring supporting said shell, a

perforated plate carried by said shell, a-

casingsurrounding said shell and leaving an annular space therebetween, a cushion ring fitted to the end of saidcasing, and a relatively movable cup-member provided, with rings adapted to co-operate with the ends of said shell'and casing respectively to clamp a piece of fabric or like material thereagainst'.

16. In an apparatus of the character desu plying to said hollow member a pressure fluid adapted to displace retained solvent from such material.

17. In an apparatuso' f the characterdescribed, the combination of 'a' cylindrical shell, a casing surrounding said shell and leaving an annular space therebetween, a relatively movable hollow member. provided with rings'adapted to co-operate with the ends of said shell and easing respectively to clamp a piece of fabric or like material I 'thereagainst, a connection for' supplying solvent to said casing, a connection ior suplying Enid adapted todisplace retained solvent from such material, and alternatively operable valves controlling said connections. '18. In an apparatus of the character deto said hollow member a pressure,

a I weaves scribed, the combination of a cylindrical solvent to said casing, a connection for shell,- a casing surrounding said shell and draining said shell, and a connection for 10 leaving an annular space therebetween, a supplying to said hollow member a pressure relatively movable hollow member provided fluid adapted to displace any absorbed with rings adapted to co-operate with the solvent from such material.

ends'of said shell and casing respectively to Signed by me this 30 day of March, clamp a piece of fabric or like material 1923.

thereagainst, a connection for supplying THOMAS GRISWOLD JR. 

